Mildene - Paragraph 84

Located in designated open countryside, the project replaces an existing horticultural nursery with a private residential property. Designed with a focus on single-storey, accessible living, the house is divided into three distinct barn-style sections: the main wing comprising a rehabilitation area and primary suite, the central barn for living and socialising, and the residential wing for ancillary bedrooms.

As a former horticultural business and plant nursery, a vital element of the proposal has been understanding that the proposed dwelling is landscape-led. The built form is simplistic and honest, yet well-detailed, placing the green context in which it is nestled at the forefront. To care for and manage this site is paramount in ensuring it is left better off than it was found. In response, the property is shrouded in wildflower meadows, grasslands and orchards.

West facade depicting the 'crawling patio planting' and kitchen garden

East Facade within large area of meadow grass and wildflower planting

The proposed dwelling is rooted into the landscape, through 'crawling patio planting' that surround the perimeter of the property, bringing nature right up to the building's edge.

View of the property from the south-west, showing the outdoor kitchen, meadow, kitchen garden and patio

Following analysis of local farmstead and agricultural barns, alongside the typology of the existing buildings on site, a single storey parallel barn configuration has been developed. The proposal also references the former horticultural nature of the land, through the introduction of an internal garden atrium. The rectilinear and symmetrical gable forms reference the former glasshouses of Mildene Nursery, whilst materiality is derived from that already on-site.

Laburnum arch to apple orchard

Laburnum arch to dwelling

Intended as a lifetime home, accessibility and adaptability are two of the core principles of the design. The home and gardens have been carefully designed to accommodate wheelchairs and ease of movement when mobility may be limited.

Proposed ground floor plan

The dwelling is reached via a gravel driveway from the existing site access to the south of the site, lined with an existing and developed hedgerow, obscuring views of the house until arrival.

Driveway

Approach

The dwelling will be constructed using ICF (Insulated Concrete Formwork), a modern method of construction in which hollow, interlocking blocks of expanded polystyrene (EPS) are stacked to create formwork for concrete to be poured into.

Proposed materials

Project Information

Client:

Private Client

Location:

Telford, UK

Sector:

Paragraph 84 Homes

Services:

Architectural Design, Concept Design, Interiors, Planning

Status:

Pre-Application

Design Team:

Ellie Platt

Gavin Watts